How do I measure TRIM?

This topic has 9 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 2 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

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April 13, 2013 at 5:38 am #356949

pascatII
Participant

I keep reading about using half trim or three quarter trim for the BCB hulls. This “old” brain is not comprehending this data. Are you talking about 1/2 or 3/4s of what you may trim another brand hull?I am confused…Pete

April 13, 2013 at 6:57 am #356952

toledobasser
Participant

Naturally there are different gauges but for instance, on my Cougar/Mercury I have the Mercury Smart Craft gauges. On my gauges the trim will show up to the number 14 before it starts to say “Trailer”. Therefore using half my trim has me around 7 on my gauge and that is pretty much where my boat seems to run the best for me. I may be off but thats what I believe they are talking about.Jim EbarbMany, LA (Toledo Bend Lake)2004 Cougar/ 225 OptimaxHumminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI on BalzOut Mount at bowLowrance HDS 7 at bowHumminbird Helix 12 Mega SI on Ram Mount at ConsoleLowrance HDS 8 in dash at console

April 13, 2013 at 10:28 am #356955

RazorCat
Participant

On an analog trim gauge youll have marks that denote the different trim levels. My trim gauge has 5 marks. Bottom (Takeoff) – 1/4 trim – 1/2 trim – 3/4 trim – Full Trim (Top). I never have to look back at the engine anymore. Just watch the gauge until I hit my mark. My Sabre FTD is trim sensitive. I never make it past the 1/4 trim mark when running.

April 13, 2013 at 2:09 pm #356958

jignpig
Participant

You really never have to go past 1/4 to 1/2 trim on a Bass Cat. If you have analog gauges you may have a trim gauge. Smartcraft makes it a number game as mentioned above.Once you “tune out” everything except driving the boat, you will notice that after you come up on plane and begin to trim, do so by “tapping” the trim up in short increments. This keeps the prop hooked up to the water and helps to reduce slippage. You will literally feel the boat break loose of the water and settle onto the pad. It will lift and surge forward is the way I would describe it. Then one tap down to keep it chewing water. Check your trim gauge and water pressure at that point.Too much trim will lose speed. At least, this is how it works for me……..96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner

April 13, 2013 at 3:47 pm #356961

pascatII
Participant

Thanks for the replies. I have the analog gauge With four marks. There is some trim above the upper line and some below the lower line. I come out of the hole with my trim tucked under all the way and the tap it up. I still need to do some more trial and error to get it tuned in just right.

April 13, 2013 at 8:00 pm #356963

clownshoes
Participant

On a brp product there is a really fast position way up top on trim and jackplate halfway up too. Better be on your toes to slowing down though. Not on the merc it seems though.C.O.D. Jr. III

April 14, 2013 at 1:53 am #356966

PhilAddison
Participant

Never have understood why anyone uses a trim gauge. I use mine every once in a while while preparing to get out of the hole, but never use when attaining top end speed. Good luck figuing the trim gauge deal out.

April 14, 2013 at 3:21 am #356968

Jstew
Participant

^^This. I never use my trim gauge. I trim by wheel feel, gps speed, and water pressure. If youre trimmed high or low – you get wheel torque. Too much trim you lose speed, chine increases, WP drops. Correct trim varies by speed & load.

April 14, 2013 at 12:38 pm #356971

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

PhilAddison wrote:Never have understood why anyone uses a trim gauge. I use mine every once in a while while preparing to get out of the hole, but never use when attaining top end speed. Good luck figuing the trim gauge deal out. jstew, , , [-], || , ^^This. I never use my trim gauge. I trim by wheel feel, gps speed, and water pressure. If youre trimmed high or low – you get wheel torque. Too much trim you lose speed, chine increases, WP drops. Correct trim varies by speed & load.Basically the same thing I said, just trying to keep in mind that some people may have come from other brands that use higher trim to achieve similar results. It is a learning curve guys and a trim gauge can give him a “ballpark” idea., ||Last edited by jignpig on April 14th, 2013, 12:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner

April 14, 2013 at 12:53 pm #356974

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Trim is measured by the best performance both in fuel and speed. Not the position of the needle on a gauge. It is that simple of a statement. Phil is right as the gauge we never use and gauges are only in the dash for those of you, we never looked at one till everyone started driving by them and we use the reference as a user tool. We still never look at a trim gauge on a dash.
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